Geminid meteor shower 2026
The strongest regular shower of the year, active from mid evening because Gemini rises early.
Peak: Monday, December 14 at 8:26 AM EST (December 14 at 5:26 AM PST on the West Coast). The Moon will be 25% lit: a thin Moon, little interference.
Best time from US cities
Meteor rates rise with the radiant: the higher it is, the more meteors you see. These are the radiant's heights above the horizon through the peak night.
| City | 7 PM local | 9 PM local | 11 PM local | 1 AM local | 3 AM local | 5 AM local |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 21° | 43° | 66° | 82° | 64° | 41° |
| Chicago | 22° | 43° | 65° | 81° | 64° | 42° |
| Los Angeles | 18° | 41° | 66° | 89° | 64° | 40° |
Local hours from 8 pm. Radiant: right ascension 112°, declination +33°, in Gemini, near the star Castor.
Where it comes from
The Geminids happen when Earth crosses the trail of dust left by asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The grains, most smaller than a grain of sand, burn up about 50 to 70 miles up at 35 km per second.
How to watch
- Get away from city lights and give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adapt. No telescope or binoculars needed.
- Lie back and take in as much sky as you can. Patience pays: meteors often come in small bursts.
- The hours before dawn are usually best, when your side of Earth faces forward into the stream.
Questions people ask
When is the Geminid meteor shower in 2026?
Active Dec 4 to Dec 20, with the peak on Monday, December 14 at 8:26 AM EST. The nights on either side are usually worth watching too.
How many meteors will I see?
Up to about 150 an hour is the rate for a perfect, dark sky with the radiant overhead. From a typical rural site expect a third to a half of that, and far fewer from a city.
Where should I look?
Anywhere in the sky. The meteors seem to come from Gemini, near the star Castor, but they streak across the whole sky. Looking about 45° away from the radiant often shows longer trails.
Sources: shower data (solar longitude of the peak, ZHR, radiant, speed, active period) from the International Meteor Organization working list, as facts; peak time and Moon computed with Astronomy Engine. Times can differ by a few hours from other calendars.
Page checked: October 25, 2026.